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Removing Poison Ivy from my Clark

Hey guys, (to skip my rant and jump right to the question, read last paragraph)

New to HF and have enjoyed reading all of your posts.

I have a Clark Tropical and am currently sitting here nursing my second case of poison ivy in as many weeks. Two weekends ago I got the nasty rash and went to Doc for the shot. Once it cleared I didn't think much of it because I had never had an outbreak like that in my life. To give you an idea, it covered 50-60% of my body. I seriously thought it was going to kill me! It cleared up nicely after the shot so I went camping last weekend. In all fairness the Doc said I would be more susceptible to urushoil but I really made sure to stay away from it this trip.

Needless to say I am currently covered again and received another shot yesterday. Not wanting to go through this again I have cleaned all my gear...with the exception of my hammock. I called Clark and asked what they recommended. They suggested putting the hammock in a bucket with a couple drops of soap and sloshing it around. Said to stay away from the washing machine because it would ruin the waterproofing of the material.

Question? (insert Dwight Schrute voice)...have any of you had this issue, specifically urushoil inside your hammock and if so how did you remove it?

I don't think soap will dissolve the Urushoil enough to be effective. I would deff use a bucket method though but instead of soap use Tecnu Wash. It worked on a set of tree straps a while back to remove the oil.
Good Luck!

I don't think soap will dissolve the Urushoil enough to be effective. I would deff use a bucket method though but instead of soap use Tecnu Wash. It worked on a set of tree straps a while back to remove the oil.
Good Luck!

Interesting, I haven't seen that before. I'll have to keep that in mind in the event I ever run into this problem on my clothing/gear.

If its Ripstop nylon. should not be a problem inside a front loader washer., With it stuffed inside a pillow case. Short hand wash warm cycle.
Depends on the water proofing used.. can still be re-applied after cleaning. Lots of spray proofing on market. Depends on construction of hammock and makers instructions on how to clean.

If its like Poison oak. The oils is the nasty critter in the plant.

Can buy technu, dump good amount in a Bucket of good warm water.. and do a good hand washing with it. Rinse, Repeat.. hang to dry.

Down or Ivry Dish soap.. WITH OUT the anti-bacterial component inside it. Is a good natural Soap. Plus, it cuts oils. Like your greasy Frying pans. Works on clothing as well. Just easy on agitation, likes to foam up. use big bucket.. Hot water, that your hands can stand.. wash.. Rinse.. Repeat.. hang to dry.

Yeah man, I just got done with this about a week ago. Woke up second day on hike(what was supposed to be 3 days) and face was swollen shut and hands were like giant balloons. Hiked out 5 miles like that and friend had to drive. Washed everything but hammock and bag.

Went out to a friends for 4 days for new years and setup hammock on his lakeside, came home today with more little bumps showing up. I have just now tossed my hammock in the washer on hand wash cold cycle, with 7th generation. Any soap will do, the whole idea is an agent that will bind to the oil and break its bond with the cloth material. Technu wash is nice, but you don't need it. Use what you have.

Tecnu wash is high dollar and didn't work for me even when I used it as directed... My solution was dish detergent... I am highly sensitive, I hike in pants all the time and am cautious about where I go... But I apparently got some on my pants and then played the wrong way shirtless in my hammock, I had it all over my back and shoulders... Anyways I tried tecnu was and I still got splotchy after laying in it... So I busted out dishwashing soap and a bucket and scrubbed until I couldn't scrub and more... Works like a charm, and now my hammock smells like green apple with a hint of permithrin...

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated! This problem has so irritated me that I even considered dropping another $300, that I don't have, just to avoid this problem again. I guess the issues is, even with a new hammock, I'll probably run into this again and can't buy a new hammock every time it happens. Thanks again for all your suggestions. I'll probably try the soap and bucket method tomorrow. Rubber gloves and chem suit, here I come!